Shrub-binder



(No Model.)

H. 0. THOMAS.

SHRUB BINDER. No. 475,361. Patented May 24, 1892.

WITNESSES .I/VVENTOH MC A TTORNEY.

NITED STATES HENRY O. THOMAS, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

FREMONT, NEBRASKA.

SHRUB-BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 475,361, dated May 24, 1892.

Application filed April 28,1891. Serial No. 390,771. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY O. THOMAS, of Fremont, in the county of Dodge and State of Nebraska, have invented certain useful Improvements in Shrub-Binders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has relation to a new and novel device for bunching and parceling shrubs, saplings, or trees.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple device by means of which irregular and unwielding bunches or collections of shrubs, saplings, or trees may be neatly and compactly parceled and tied, so that they may be more readily handled, shipped, or stored; and in furtherance of this object my invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described, and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a vertical sectional elevation of a parceling device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view thereof. Fig. 3 shows a detail of the draft-equalizing harness. Fig. 4 illustrates the method of arranging the guiderolls, and Fig. 5 represents a modification wherein the binding-straps are fixed.

Similar letters of reference refer to corresponding parts.

A A represent two suitable sills, to which is fixed the bunching-cradle, as shown. This cradle consists, essentially, of two V-shaped end braces, the arms of which are of unequal length, (markedB and B,) which are united by four transverse braces, (marked 0, D, E, and F.) The three braces O, D, and E run parallel, O and E uniting the two longer arms B B of the end piece at the top and bottom and the one marked D uniting them centrally, as will be understood by referring to Fig. 1. The brace F transversely connects the two shorter arms B B, and at the same time forms a step from which the device may be operated. The upper or rail brace O and the center brace D are connected by four vertical stubbraces 0', C C and C the one marked 0 being extended, so as to form a suitable support for the stub-shaft G.

At a suitable point above the brace D, I provide a shaft H, which passes through the stub-braces at a convenient point, having a set of pulleys or rolls H, which are adapted to operate between said braces, as will be understood by referring to Fig. 4.

At a point opposite the rolls H are positioned an equal number of cradle-arms I, preferabl y of wood, which are pivoted upon a shaft F, extending below the step F. This shaft is supported by a series of journal-blocks K, which are mounted in pairs below said step F, two to each arm I, to either side of which they are disposed. The shaft F is so positioned that when the cradle-arms are at rest they lean outward a suitable distance, as shown in Fig. 1.

Extending from the base-brace E are a series of suitable coil-springs M, one for each arm I, to the lower projecting end of which they are shackled by means of a suitable rod.

Supporting the stubshaft Gare the braces C and G, which are a suitable distance apart and between which an equalizing-harness is adapted to reciprocate. This harness comprises a doubletree N, to which are pivoted the two unequal-length singletrees N N The singletrees are pivoted a little to the side of the center, so that each has a short and a long arm, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The double tree is supported by means of a rope 0, passing over a suitable pulley, as shown in Fig. 3, and having one end'fixed to the supportingstandard, the otherbein g attached to the shaft G, so that said rope may be wound upon the shaft. The sin gletree N is provided with two strap-loops P P and the larger tree N with three such loops, through which the bindingstraps R are led, as will be noticed by referring to Fig. 1. By means of the adjustable pulley the doubletree may be provided with unequal-length arms. These straps are of any suitable width and thickness and preferably of rubber belting, which are attached so as to have a projecting end, one strap being fixed to each cradle-arm I, the remaining end being free and provided with a terminal eye, opening, or loop, as desired. Disposed in pairs, one to each side of the binding-straps R, are a series of bed-straps I, which extend in graceful curves from the step F to the up per rail 0, so as to form a bed within the eradle, as will be understood by referring to the figures.

At the top the shaft G is provided with a suitable ratchet-arm S,.by means of which said shaft is operated, and each cradle-arm I is further provided with a retaining-hook T,

adapted to be engaged by the looped end of its binding-strap R.

In the rear the cradle is provided with a twine-shelf V, provided with a suitable number of balls of twine, the ends of which are led over the shaft F and thence to the top rail 0, over which rail the ends of the cards are hung.

WVhen all the parts have been properly proportioned, constructed, and assembled, the operation of my device is as follows: The shrubs which are to be packed or parceled are placed within the cradle so that their roots extend beyond the end having the small singletree. When a suitable number have been placed within the cradle, where they are retained and supported by means of the bed-straps I and the cradle-arms I, the binding-straps R are carried over the shrubs, so as to completely encompass them, and hooked by means of their iron terminal loops to the hooks '1 upon the upper ends of the cradle-arms. The bunch is now ready to be compressed, which is accom plished by revolving the shaft G by means of the connected ratchet-arm S, so that the rope Ois wound upon the shaft. As the shaft is revolved to wind the connected rope the equalizing-harness is carried upward between the standards G C and thus the connected binding-straps R, which are guided over the pulleys H, are shortened more and more in compressing the shrubs within the cradle, until finally the bunch has been forced into a snug and compact cone-shaped parcel, the roots of course forming the base. The parcel while held is securely bound by means of the twine, which is detached from its clasps, and when this is accomplished the ratchet-arm is released, the springs M releasing and opening the cradle, so that the parcel may be conveniently removed. By means of the unequal-length singletrees each cradle-arm has its proper tension, so that the parcels, which are always thicker at the base, may be neatly and properly compressed. There are no hard surfaces to bruise the shrubs in compressing, as the overlapping end of the hinding-strap R formsa cushion for the iron loop, so that nothing but the pliable rubber belting comes in contact with the parcel.

The device is susceptible of a slight modi' ficat-ion, and in Fig. 5 I have shown a curved cradle-arm. This arm operates precisely as in the device described, the only difference being that the arm is provided intermediately with a roll or pulley, over which the hind ing-strap works, instead of having its end affixed thereto, the binding-strap in this instance being secured at one end to the framework, then passing over the roll within the arm and being secured at its remaining free end to one of the arms of the doubletree. To pack the shrubs from above, I curve the arm and provide the additional bed-strap, as will be understood by referring to Fig. 5.

The device may be made to accommodate any-sized shrub or tree, is simple of construction, portable, and readily adjusted and operated; and

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is

1. In a shrub-binder, the combination of the following instrumentalities, to wit: a suitable supporting frame or cradle, bed-straps disposed within said cradle,a series of springactuated cradle-arms pivoted to said support ing-frame, and a series of binding-straps connected at one end to said cradle-arms, the free end passing overa vertically-reciprocating equalizingharness and below a series of rolls, the end being detachably secured to the upper end of said cradle-arms, said equalizingharness reciprocating vertically, so as to force said cradle-arms toward the bed-straps, all substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

2. In a shrub-binder, the combination of the following instrumeutalities, to wit: a suitable supporting frame or cradle, bed-straps disposed transversely within said cradle, aseries of pivoted cradle-arms within said cradle, springs attached to said arms to keep them in an open position, a series of detachable binding-straps passing below a series of rolls and over an equalizing-harness and connected to said cradle-arms, and a Windlass for raising and lowering said harness, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a shrub-binder, the combination of the following instrumentalities, to wit: a suitable supporting frame or cradle, a series of bed-straps transversely disposed within said cradle, a series of pivoted spring-actuated cradle-arms pivoted between said bed-straps and within said cradle, a series of bindingstraps secured at one end to said cradle-arms and looping over an equalizing-harness and below a set of guide-rolls, the free end being secured to said cradle-arms, said harness comprising a double and two unequal-length singletrees, and a Windlass for raising and lowering said harness to operate said cradlearms, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY O. THOMAS.

Witnesses:

G. W. Sons, N. P. FEIL. 

